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DeKALB COUNTY, Ga. -- Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler announced this week that the preliminary unadjusted unemployment rate in the Metro Atlanta area increased to 10.4 percent in January.

This is up three-tenths of a percentage point from a revised 10.1 percent in December 2010.

The rate increased because of layoffs in manufacturing, construction, and administrative and support services.

Unemployment rates increased in all areas of the state in January except in Metro Warner Robins, where it remained steady at 7.8 percent. This was the state's lowest unemployment rate; Metro Dalton had the highest at 13.0 percent.

DeKalb County had a 10.5 percent unemployment rate.

January marked the 40th consecutive month that Georgia exceeded the national unemployment rate, which is currently at 9.0 percent.

Federal prosecutors said Monday 45-year-old Willie Daren Durrett, a former police lieutenant, was charged with accepting bribes on three separate occasions in 2007 and 2008.

The indictment also charges Donald Frank, the department's ex-deputy chief, with bribery. Frank was first indicted on similar bribery charges in May 2010. A third person, Amin Budhwani, has previously pleaded guilty to paying bribes to Frank.

Prosecutors say Durrett accepted bribes from Budhwani on three separate occasions in 2007 and 2008. Durrett could not immediately be reached for comment, but investigators say he resigned last week.

WASHINGTON -- Nearly 2 million Summer Infant video baby monitors were recalled Friday after being linked to the strangulation deaths of two infants.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission says the electrical cords on the monitors can be dangerous for babies if placed too close to their cribs.

According to the commission, a 10-month-old girl from Washington, D.C. died in March when she strangled on the cord of a Summer Infant monitor camera that had been placed on the top of the crib rail. In November, a 6-month-old boy from Conway, S.C. strangled in the electrical cord of a baby monitor placed on the changing table attached to his crib.

CHAMBLEE, Ga. (AP) - Police say a 31-year-old man was shot to death in the parking lot of a Chamblee bowling alley.

Chamblee Police Chief Marc Johnson says a 36-year-old man who left the scene Monday night later called 911 and turned himself in to authorities. The chief says the man told police he had acted in self-defense during a robbery attempt. Johnson says the victim was shot more than once.

No charges have been filed. Police say they're looking for a possible witness to the shooting.

DECATUR – In recognition of Black History Month, DeKalb County Commissioner Stan Watson is pleased to present to the citizens of DeKalb County the “State of Black DeKalb” - How Far Have We Come? The event will feature a series of panel guests in a discussion to share insight on issues that impact critical quality of life issues.

Topics covered in the “State of Black DeKalb” include:

Economic Development

Education

Healthcare

Community Partnerships and Resources

Political Aspects

Faith-Based Community

Future of DeKalb

The event will be held at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts and Community Center on Monday, Feb. 21, 2011 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the main theatre.